I'm a pre hrt mtf transgender who lives full time as female and I'd like to know if anyone could please answer these questions?

I'm vegan, will this cause any adverse affetcs when on hormones?
What's the youngest age some one can have their testicles removed?
Can you only legally change your gender after grs/srs?
Why do some people still use the term transexual when most people find it offensive (sorry if this question is offensive to anyone)
I've had some not so good mental health (I've been in hospital because of suicidal stuff and suicide attempts and I've self harmed)will this stop me being able to transition?
What are negative side affects of hormones?

Sorry for all the questions last one now

In town a lot of people know I'm transgender (there are lots of groups of us and put together we all equal a little bit over 100 but probably more so now) because quite a few of them knew me when I wasn't living as a female and they know my name and when I met some new people after some vodka and pepsi when a few people asked I ended up saying ugh . I don't think this is very safe and I want a fresh brand new start in somewhere like bristol and goto a new college but I live in care at the moment and would only be able to get a flat. How badly would it impact on my transition to move towns(it's quite a while from here)?


Sorry if these are dumb questions,
Thank you,
Millie

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMI'm vegan, will this cause any adverse affetcs when on hormones?

To my knowledge, no. I would just make sure your vegan diet has an appropriate amount of Protein because the T and E will be building muscle and bone in different areas, and Vegan diets are often missing a healthy amount of protein. That the only problem I can see popping up.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMWhat's the youngest age some one can have their testicles removed?

Question need a little more context. Are you asking medically, legally, advisory?

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMCan you only legally change your gender after grs/srs?

This depends on the area, but in the US and UK generally yes.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMWhy do some people still use the term transexual when most people find it offensive (sorry if this question is offensive to anyone)

Transsexual and Transgendered are terms that mean two different things. People who are not currently opting for surgery typically fall under the Transgender umbrella, while people actively transitioning or post-op fit under Transsexual. As far as I know, most people actually undergoing transition are fine with the term Transsexual, but it can come off wrong if referring to a transgendered person as such. It gets a little fuzzy sometimes.

As far as general offensive, I've seen transgendered/transsexual people find both terms, including the term "Trans", to be offensive but this has always been a head scratcher to me. There are intersex, cross dressers, ->-bleeped-<-s, etc and when terms get mixed up offense can happen, but right now in the communities I know of the term "transsexual" is pretty accepted as being the correct term for transitional transgendered.

If I'm wrong on any of the above, someone please correct me.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMI've had some not so good mental health (I've been in hospital because of suicidal stuff and suicide attempts and I've self harmed)will this stop me being able to transition?

You'll have to talk to a professional about this, as this is most likely going to come in during the discussion of getting a prescription for the hormones themselves.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AMWhat are negative side affects of hormones?

This is on a case by case basis, but the main "negatives" are associated with essentially undergoing puberty again which comes with the raging hormones, body changes, etc. To get a full view, you should do some in depth research yourself, as the negatives and positives are far too medically numerous to list in a forum post.

Those are the best answers I got personally - someone else here probably has better

Hi Millie - I can't answer them all but will see what I can do...

Being vegan - shouldn't cause any adverse effects, however you need to careful to eat well, get enough complimentary protein and calcium, plus everything else of course. I'm lacto vegetarian but have been vegan a couple of times. In both instances I became quite thin, I wasn't on HRT. Remember that being overly thin and growing a female figure do not go well together.

Testicles removed - that will depend on the local laws. You sound like you're in the UK and I've got no idea. I'd imagine you'd need to be at least 18. Keep in mind that being on HRT will reduce your testosterone significantly. Depending on your GRS plans maybe wait until then as it will save you the cost of two procedures.

Legally change your gender after grs/srs - UK law, got no idea sorry.

Transexual - some people use transsexual to indicate being post-op. Some people don't. Trans gender applies across both pre and post op.

Mental health - it may, although at the least it's likely to result in closer observation and profession support throughout the process.

Negative side affects of hormones - it really depends on the individual. Some will get head aches, others not. It can effect the blood pressure and liver. It will decrease libido. Might increase appetite. You should discuss any concerns with your doctor/endocrinologist.

Moving - the only major impact I can think of is that the level of support and the availability of it may be different. Don't expect to move and simply pick up where you left off. It may take longer than expected to see who you need to see. They might prescribe different meds, etc.

Not much help I guess but that's what I've got.

You can legally change your gender without surgery in the US. Some states will give you a hassle but not all. Social security, the only fed one you need to worry about, does not require surgery anymore, neither does a passport.

The rest of the questions were answered fairly well, I think.

Thank you! Ok I'll go research hormones because that's something I need to do more research on I think and I'll check with my doctor/peadiatrion/whoever about the legal gender change thing thank you for the answers!,

Millie

Hi again Millie!

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
I'm vegan, will this cause any adverse affetcs when on hormones?

No, your diet will be fine. Your doctor will order regular blood tests anyway to look out for any problems. Just mention to the doctor that you're vegan, and they'll give you any advice you might need. But don't worry; it shouldn't stop you at all.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
What's the youngest age some one can have their testicles removed?

18. Can I have them, please? j/k

Whilst 18 is the minimum age, most clinics will insist that you will have completed their psychological assessments first (usually at least 3 months) and some will insist that you should've been on hormones for some time. So it's best to ask the clinic when you go to see them.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
Can you only legally change your gender after grs/srs?

No. In the UK, you don't need to undergo any medical treatment whatsoever in order to legally change your gender. Not even hormones.

But it does depend on what you mean by 'legally change your gender':

• you can change your name and title by Deed Poll, by saying that you're changing your name and title from Mr Joe Bloggs to Miss Jane Doe. This enables you to change your bank details, any accounts you might have, possibly your school records etc.
• Once you've been assessed by a GIC, you can use your Deed Poll plus a letter from the GIC to change your name and gender marker in a British Passport or driving licence. This is very useful for day-to-day purposes. This will allow you to open new bank accounts; rent a flat; get a job etc. in the correct name & gender
• Once you are over 18, have been diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria, can prove that you've been living as female for at least two years (your GIC can help with this) and declare that you intend to live as female for the rest of your life, you can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate. This allows you to be seen as female for all purposes, including marriage or civil partnership. Once you have the certificate, you will be fully recognised as female and it will constitute an offence if anyone were to disclose your trans* status - you could actually prosecute them. Again, you do not need to have undergone any medical treatment to get this... but you do need two doctors to prove that you have Gender Dysphoria and that you've been living as a woman for two years.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
Why do some people still use the term transexual when most people find it offensive (sorry if this question is offensive to anyone)

Transsexual is a term that the general public used to misconstrue as applying to all trans* people. And whilst it is in fact correct for someone like myself who is undergoing medical transition, the problem with the word is that there is a tendency amongst the ignorant masses to see the 'sexual' part of the word, and to think that we have some weird sexual perversion that makes us want to dress as 'the opposite sex'. Nothing could be further from the truth for a transsexual, so many of us prefer the umbrella term 'transgender' because it doesn't contain 'sexual' and therefore doesn't trigger misunderstandings about sexuality or 'perversion' amongst the Muggles.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
I've had some not so good mental health (I've been in hospital because of suicidal stuff and suicide attempts and I've self harmed)will this stop me being able to transition?

Not necessarily. The GIC will want to know that your mental health issues are being managed, but other than that I can reassure you they're used to seeing people who have been majorly depressed, highly anxious or even suicidal. Y'know, around 40% of trans* people have attempted suicide at some point; most of the clinics are sympathetic to this.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
What are negative side affects of hormones?

Many and varied. Sorry, I'm not an expert on female hormones. But for many of us who choose to take them, any risks of taking the hormones are far lower than the risks of not taking them.

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 20, 2014, 03:17:54 AM
I don't think this is very safe and I want a fresh brand new start in somewhere like bristol and goto a new college but I live in care at the moment and would only be able to get a flat. How badly would it impact on my transition to move towns(it's quite a while from here)?

I'm from Bristol, and so are a couple of other members here. Bristol has a thriving LGBT community and is a big enough city that people aren't up in everyone else's business all the time. You'd need to choose between GICs in London or Exeter though, because there are no specialist gender services in Bristol (although there are some support groups, especially MtF groups).

If you're thinking about moving, think carefully about which GIC you want to attend, especially since you'll need to keep going back to see them every few months for a couple of years at least. Top tip: the best, quickest and most sympathetic GIC for people in the Bristol area is The Laurels in Exeter. I think they have an outreach programme in association with the Tavistock that deals with younger patients; why not give them a ring and ask them what they could do for you, and how old you need to be to see them? The Laurels: 01392 677077 or email them at dpn-tr.TheLaurels@nhs.net

BTW- Those are not stupid questions at all Millie. 

Thank you for your answers ^~^ moving wise igoing to try my best to move to manchester *i have a friend there who can support me we both reallly need friends so ya know* and I'm going to move as soon as possible because ya know it's really not very safe if everyone knows. I'm gonna see the peaditrition next month and try to get referred (hormones wise I don't care about the side affects tbh because I really need them say they limited my lifespan to like fourty years*not gonna happen* I'd still take them because I need them.)
The transexuall thing I hate the term but I know and respect other people use it I hate it because I'm transgender and people think that transexuals are ->-bleeped-<-s. Ugh. But yes if some one wanted me to use that term I would cos I know terms and pronouns and such are realllly important.

So now I'm trying to see if social services will let me move if not then I think I'm a bit screwed,

Thank you for your answers if I've said anything offensive tell me so I know and won't do it again,
Thanks,
Millie

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 22, 2014, 07:19:55 AM
Thank you for your answers ^~^ moving wise igoing to try my best to move to manchester *i have a friend there who can support me we both reallly need friends so ya know*

There is a good support group in Manchester called TransForum (google it)

Quote from: KilljoyMillie on May 22, 2014, 07:19:55 AM
The transexuall thing I hate the term but I know and respect other people use it I hate it because I'm transgender and people think that transexuals are ->-bleeped-<-s.

I self-describe as a transsexual because I am one. "Transgender" is the umbrella term that includes anyone with any kind of gender variance. Pick whatever term makes you comfortable, that is what I do.

As to your other question about negative effects of hormones, the only medical one that springs to mind is an increased risk of blood clotting. All the hormones used these days are bio-identical human hormones so the chances of liver damage are very small - unlike the bad old days of premarin and ethyl-estradiol.

Manchester has a pretty well established trans* community, and is also home to Sparkle, which is kinda like a Trans* Pride that is held every year. You might want to think about attending this to get some good information about trans* people's experiences in Manchester: this year's event is on the weekend of 11-13 July.

What you said about needing hormones even if they might shorten your life (according to my doctor, they don't) is exactly what I was getting at: for many transsexuals, any risks posed by taking hormones are much smaller than the risks of us coming to harm (or harming ourselves) if we aren't able to take them.

Good luck with the paediatrician!

Blood clotting doesn't sound great but ah well there's always aspirin c; thank ya'll and the transexual thing the few friends I do talk to them about it about it I usually prefer just saying something along the lines of I'm a girl born with a dick or that I'm transgender or trans as for the prides I'm gonna go to gay pride in manchester this year and I shall search up sparkle as well thank you! ,
Millie